Every one is dependent on WiFi -unfortunately most people think it is safe, however Networkworld identified 7 “ways you could be giving away your identity through a Wi-Fi connection and what to do instead.”  The November 13, 2015 report entitled “7 ways hackers can use Wi-Fi against you” including these points about “Using free hotspots”:

They seem to be everywhere, and their numbers are expected to quadruple over the next four years. But many of them are untrustworthy, created just so your login credentials, to email or even more sensitive accounts, can be picked up by hackers using “sniffers” — software that captures any information you submit over the connection. The best defense against sniffing hackers is to use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN keeps your private data protected because it encrypts what you input.

They seem to be everywhere, and their numbers are expected to quadruple over the next four years. But many of them are untrustworthy, created just so your login credentials, to email or even more sensitive accounts, can be picked up by hackers using “sniffers” — software that captures any information you submit over the connection. The best defense against sniffing hackers is to use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN keeps your private data protected because it encrypts what you input.

All 7 of the WiFi Cyber Risks are:

  1. Using free hotspots
  2. Banking online
  3. Keeping Wi-Fi on all the time
  4. Not using a firewall
  5. Browsing unencrypted websites
  6. Not updating your security software
  7. Not securing your home Wi-Fi

Networkworld provided good advice given the ubiquitous nature of cells and tablets which rely on WiFi.

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